Yangtze finless porpoise species:

The Yangtze river’s finless porpoise is one of the very few porpoises (relatives of dolphins and whales) that live in fresh water. Its small size and cute 'smile' make it much loved in China and beyond. But we need to prevent it going the same way as the functionally extinct Yangtze river dolphin, also known as the Baiji.

After years of rapid decline, the latest census shows that the population of the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise has remained almost stable in recent years – dropping very slightly to 1012 individuals from 1040 in 2012.

The porpoises are at risk from the same threats that the Baiji faced – including loss of food sources and boat collisions.

Where the Yangtze finless porpoise lives

The Yangtze finless porpoise is found in the main Yangtze river channel in central and eastern China, and in two lakes, naturally connected to the river, in the central Yangtze - Dongting and Poyang.

Why the Yangtze finless porpoise is so important

Porpoises play an important role in keeping their environment healthy. They eat fish and other river creatures, which would otherwise increase in number and unbalance the local food chain.

Equally, porpoises are a good indicator of the health of their environment – if the river is overfished or polluted, the porpoises struggle to survive.

By protecting these porpoises we’re helping preserve healthy rivers and lakes – which a lot of people heavily rely on for food, provision of clean water and as source of livelihoods.

Challenges affecting the finless porpoise

Shipping and unsustainable fishing

Overfishing in rivers reduces the porpoises’ natural prey. Although they’re not directly targeted by fishermen, large numbers of porpoises are accidentally entangled in fishing gear, or struck by boats and ships.

Challenges affecting the finless porpoise

Loss of living space

Dams and sluice gates fragment rivers and cut off groups of porpoises from each other, creating small, isolated populations – so it’s harder for them to find food and to mate. Dams also change the natural flows and sediment in rivers.
Sand dredging in lakes connected to the Yangtze is on the increase, in order to support rapid urbanisation. This dredging contributes to the destruction of finless porpoise habitat, and the dredging itself disturbs the porpoises.
We're working to prevent the construction of sluice gates and dams that can lead to habitat fragmentation

Challenges affecting the finless porpoise

Agriculture and industry

Agriculture can cause a lot of pollution, which runs into the Yangtze and affects the finless porpoises' habitat. We're supporting farmers to use more sustainable farming methods to help combat this threat.

Challenges affecting the finless porpoise

Threats from climate change

Climate change is causing an increase in water temperatures, storm frequency and changing river currents, which can decrease survival of the Yangtze finless porpoise. The only option is to change their habitat range, but the restrictive nature of river habitats means that there is no opportunity to move elsewhere. Changes to water currents also threatens food availability.